What is having an obstruction like?

My experience is:

Little to no hunger
Bloating
Nausea
Vomiting

Edit: I forgot about pain. Pretty much the same as what Zanne said.

Sorry, I hope this isn't barging in. Feel free to move the post if it is...

One night in December of last year, I had what I thought was an obstruction. Firstly I would like to know if this *sounds* like an obstruction from these symptoms. My abdomen was bloated -- I mean really badly, horribly bloated. I had a feeling of unrelenting, strong pressure at a point somewhere just above and to the left of the belly button -- it was the sort of pressure which *felt* like it ought to be relieved at any moment with a gurgling sound of something shifting and moving, but wasn't. No bowel sounds. I did feel a bit sick but more memorable to me was an overwhelming feeling of wanting to burp but not being able to do so. Oh yeah - and pain. Waves of pain bad enough to make me double over with it about once every 10 minutes or so. No vomiting.

By next day the pressure feeling had gone, but I was still feeling pretty bloated and, if memory serves, passed some gas but very little stool. Next day I went something like 3 times in a row and felt a much greater sense of relief than normal after going to the toilet. I had the same symptoms come back one more time, but they didn't last as long: about two hours, then things started moving and gurgling along in my guts again.

Secondly, I would like to know at what point an obstruction becomes a medical emergency. The "life threatening" aspect worries me a tad :-/ Is it when you start vomiting that it's serious?

Thanks in advance. I'll make an intro thread tomorrow (not that there's that much to tell - my Crohn's has been tame compared to many) but bed time calls. Would rather post now, at the risk of waffling a bit, 'cos if I leave it to tomorrow I might not do it.

This has been my experience with blockages. I cannot move air or stool out at all, I am extremely bloated with squealing belly noises, and I have pains that come in waves much like labor pains. Then the nausea and vomiting start. For me with obstruction pain there is NO other option for me but to go to the ER as the pain is unbearable. When I vomit it is usually green bile and nothing more. Hope that helps.

My obstructions are as described above, plus vomiting fecal fluid. There is no indecision at this point, you know you're
really sick. It is the most horrifying stinky thing that's ever happened to me. When it first happened to me, I didn't know
what it was, but I knew it was totally wrong, coupled with crippling pain, I couldn't wait to get to the hospital. I had a little
voice in my head telling me "Do something or you're gonna die". Not all obstructions are like this, but in general, you feel
ill enough to seek medical attention...

In answer to the above question, it can become life threatening because you can perforate your bowel. You can also get dehydrated very quickly if you are vomiting. The pain can be incredible and unbearable. All things that need to be handled by medical staff. I have blockages due to adhesions all too frequently. I have discussed them at length with my doctors and we have put a plan in place. As long as I can keep myself hydrated and keep the pain at a tolerable level, I can stay at home. But at the first sign of trouble, I head to the hospital. I also make sure that I am not alone, just to be on the safe side. And I have been dealing with this for years, this is not something I would recommend for anyone who is new to CD or has not discussed it with their doctors.

Prior to 1998, I had more total obstructions than I can count. My gastroenterologist would ask me 2 questions. Are you bringing up bile? Do you feel relief after vomiting, but a few minutes later your stomach refills and you vomit again? If the answers were "yes" he said "pack your toothbrush and get to the ER." I was met at the door and admitted on the run. Anti-nausea meds and pain meds settle things down long enough to get x-rays and blood draws. Now, a partial obstruction may give you pain and nausea but resolves itself before vomiting. Nevertheless, it is something to watch.

At times after a big meal, i sometimes get the nausea's feeling which last for a short time.

The pains I had were pretty excruciating, but not intolerable: especially as they weren't constant, but only came once every 10 minutes or so. But the general rule of thumb seems to be: vomiting = seek medical attention. Still not even sure if it was a proper blockage I had, really. Or maybe it was a gas blockage, as artist guy mentioned...

Thanks folks.

I think obstruction pain is worse myself and I had 2 kids naturally and one c-section. For me it feels like someone takes a dropper of acid and drops one drop of acid into my gut and then it just spreads the pain out from there. I actually say my obstructions come in waves much like labor pains. What your sister is not understanding is that pain meds will make things a little more comfortable for you, but you don't even get the joy of a new baby with your obstructions. Not all cases, but most wind up having to have emergency surgery.

As bad as my pain was that night, I don't think it was that bad. Maybe about 8/10 on a pain scale...

Anyway, your sister should understand that childbirth isn't the only/worst pain the world. But if she persists in minimising your Crohn's, I would stop talking to her about it. She may be one of those people who doesn't want to concede a millimeter.

I totally agree with what suzanne says, an obstruction can cause our small bowel to perforate, and bile would poison your system. by the time I spent my year in an out of hospital's 3 surgeries, I was so heavilly addicted to pain med's that I had to deal with that issue. the height of my bowel obstuction only demoral would help, every 3 hr's. I was a hospital junkie, now I try to avoid pain med's because they are for me terribally constipating. if I have a bad flare that I need my pain med's for I know it takes me 2 day's for my bowels to work normally. for me normal is 3-4 times in a.m.

By the way could others answer Bar77's question re child birth pain greater or lesser than cyclical obstruction pain. I'm curious too! I've heard women say that to other men and I just smile cause I think I know how that feels too. I'm also wise enough not to say anything, just smile